Ballenton (b. ca. 1825) served as a private in Co. C, 30th NC Inf. His entry in North Carolina Troops records that he was “taken from his shop by a file of men without being allowed an opportunity of seeing his family, never fired a gun in the rebellion and took the first opportunity of deserting and came into the Union lines at Kelly’s Ford” on November 11, 1863. Ballenton was confined in the Old Capital Prison on or about November 10 and died in hospital at Washington on March 13, 1864 of “Variola Confluenta.”]

Camp homes june 21 1863
to his excelancely the governer
of the Stat of North carolina
Dear sir I seat myself to inform
you wheare I am and my condishion
I was retained heare by the doctors
I also have an old certificate
from dr. S.S. Satchwell which
Clears me from all milatary
duties being afflicted I also
am a Cooper by trade and
has bin Careing on the buisness
for the last 15 years especialy
in Wilminton where I have bin
making water Buckets I was
making making 6 Buckets a day
tha taken me out of the chop
and Broat me hear I pray your
honer therefore have
me detailed to mak Buckets
for the goverment if not that
pleas allow me to volenteer
abord the gun Boats
yours &c J.S. Ballenton